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How to get a Refund on Your Unwanted Windows

Posted by Zonk on from the breaking-the-window-and-climbing-out dept.

lisah writes "Serge Wroclawski recently contacted Dell to request a refund on the unwanted copy of Windows XP that came pre-installed on his computer. Somewhat surprisingly, Dell complied. Wroclawski admits that the $52.50 refund was more of a victory in principal than anything else, but it was a success nonetheless. Using his tips and techniques readers can try their hand at getting a refund of their own. Wroclawski cautions that you should be prepared for a long haul: the process could take hours." Linux.com and Slashdot are both owned by OSTG.

2 of 409 comments (clear)

  1. Makes One Wonder... by EXTomar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why Microsoft can't sell a copy of Windows XP to anyone for $52. I'm not sure why "volume discount" or OEM relationships are exactly a satisfactory answer either.

  2. Re:Save some time and money by cyberfunkr · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The fact that everyone seems to forget/ignore is that the cost of installing Windows is not a big factor when pricing out a system.

    Dell DOES offer machines without Windows. However they end up costing MORE than the version with Windows. Why is this? Because along with installing Windows XP (or Vista soon) they install a lot of crapware. RealPlayer, MusicMatch, AOL, and a host of others are being installed in that system that's built "Just for you".

    And each one of those companies pay Dell every time they are included on your system. Just like you'll see computers that are $299, after mail-in rebate. That mail-in rebate is you have to sign-up for 2-years of CompuServe and they'll help pay for your computer. You can buy a computer without Windows and without all this extra crap but you're going to pay more for it because these other companies are giving a kickback.

    There is a program out there called "The PC Decrapifier". Here is a list of all the "extras" that help lower the cost of your Dell system.

    • QuickBooks Trial
    • NetZero Installers
    • Earthlink Setup Files
    • Corel Photo Album 6
    • Tiscali Internet
    • Wanadoo Europe Installer
    • Get High Speed Internet!
    • Internet Service Offers Launcher
    • Dell Search Assistant
    • Norton Ghost 10.0
    • Symantec Live Update
    • MS Plus Photo Story 2LE
    • MS Plus Digital Media Installer
    • McAffee
    • Norton Internet Security
    • Google Desktop
    • Google Toolbar
    • AOL US
    • AOL UK
    • MusicMatch Jukebox
    • MusicMatch Music Services
    • Wild Tangent Games
    • Norton AntiVirus 2005
    • Norton Security Center
    • Norton AntiSpam
    • PC-cillin Internet Security 12
    • Corel Snapfire Plus SE
    • Yahoo! Music Jukebox
    • Vongo
    • Desktop Icons
    • Startup Menu Items
    • Corel WordPerfect
    • Roxio RecordNow
    • Sonic DLA
    • Sonic Update Manager
    • Sonic RecordNow Audio
    • Sonic RecordNow Copy
    • Roxio MyDVD LE
    • Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003
    • Quicken 2006

    So what does this all mean? To save money, buy the PC *with* Windows, then follow this guys advice to return the OS. Then send a thank you to Corel, Sonic, Roxio, Real, Google, McAfee, Symantec, and AOL for helping you buy the Linux system you really wanted in the first place.